Firewhirl: NIOSH Report on 2004 Collision in Illinois Archives

NIOSH Report on 2004 Collision in Illinois

NIOSH has released their report on a 2004 collision of two fire engines. Several firefighters were injured and one firefighter died.

On April 27, 2004 a 34-year-old male part-time fire fighter died after the engine in which he was riding (Unit 1) crashed into an engine from another department (Unit 2) as they passed through an intersection. Both engines/departments were responding to the same call for a structure fire. The force of the impact caused the front of Unit 1 to collapse inward and cause crushing injuries to the unrestrained driver whose legs were pinned between the seat and the dashboard. He was extricated and transported to the hospital for treatment. The rear passenger of Unit 1 received minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released. The victim, who was riding unrestrained in the officer’s seat, was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Here are the recommendations from the report:

Provide training to driver/operators as often as necessary to meet the requirements of NFPA 1451, 1500, and 1002. This training should incorporate specifics on intersection practices.

Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs ) for seat belt usage, intersection practices, and response to mutual/automatic aid incidents.

Read the whole report. It isn't very long and it has a lot of good information and pictures.

Here is what I got out of the report - slow down at intersections regardless of what the traffic signals indicate and wear your seatbelt.

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